I got this book as part of a Humble Bundle package, and I do often like to branch out and read something I wouldn't normally grab as my first choice.I got this book as part of a Humble Bundle package, and I do often like to branch out and read something I wouldn't normally grab as my first choice.

I pretty much recognised Wil Wheaton from his cameos as evil Wil Wheaton on The Big Bang Theory, and so this was a good introduction into some more details of his life. It was an open and honest portrayal, dealing with high points as well as low points, mistakes and his own character flaws.

I ended up reading this in a couple of nights and really enjoyed it. ...more

This was an interesting personal description of the Hajj and journey to Mecca. It was interesting to look at Islam from an insiders perspective, and gThis was an interesting personal description of the Hajj and journey to Mecca. It was interesting to look at Islam from an insiders perspective, and gave me a bit more of an idea of some facets of the religion. I did end up skimming some portions though, and at times it seemed a little self indulgent. ...more

A very enjoyable travelogue looking at the trials and tribulations of travelling through South America. I must say that things did seem to go surprisiA very enjoyable travelogue looking at the trials and tribulations of travelling through South America. I must say that things did seem to go surprisingly smoothly throughout the journey....more

This book could have been so much better with some decent editing. As it was sentences ran on for too long, and travel adventures were interrupted byThis book could have been so much better with some decent editing. As it was sentences ran on for too long, and travel adventures were interrupted by abusive rants, often followed by an 'I don't care if you disagree, it's my opinion, but sorry anyway', or information on how the author was going to write the book. If I wasn't going to do a trip across the US, visiting many of the places he did, I probably wouldn't have read through to the end....more

There are few books I would describe as intense, but this would be one of them. The trials the Antarctic explorers went through seemed unendurable, buThere are few books I would describe as intense, but this would be one of them. The trials the Antarctic explorers went through seemed unendurable, but they passed through extreme conditions and seemed to keep in good cheer.

Cherry-Garrard does such a good job of describing the environment that I found myself putting extra layers on to block out the cold.

I may be crazy for saying this though, but I think I want to go to Antarctica even more now. ...more

What I most liked about this book was how normal Kelly was. She undertook a journey, walking across France, without being a super athlete (and to be hWhat I most liked about this book was how normal Kelly was. She undertook a journey, walking across France, without being a super athlete (and to be honest, fairly poorly prepared). It makes her very easy to identify with, and has got me thinking about walking holidays in the future. ...more

What an adventure! I never quite worked out why they were retracing the steps of Che Guevara, it seemed more from a love of motorbikes than a real conWhat an adventure! I never quite worked out why they were retracing the steps of Che Guevara, it seemed more from a love of motorbikes than a real connection with the revolutionary, but in the end the reasons for the journey weren't what mattered, it was the journey itself. I'm amazed they didn't encounter more problems on their trip, but it sounds incredible. ...more

Errrgh, Qiyin really started to irritate me in this book. She was really preachy with her friends, basically telling them that the people they loved wErrrgh, Qiyin really started to irritate me in this book. She was really preachy with her friends, basically telling them that the people they loved were useless, and then waiting to see what career her boyfriend would have before making up her mind whether to stay with him. All while trying to be a good little communist. ...more

In some ways I enjoyed this, Bryn and Brian had a number of interesting adventures on their travels, and I've also been to a number of places mentioneIn some ways I enjoyed this, Bryn and Brian had a number of interesting adventures on their travels, and I've also been to a number of places mentioned in here, so it was good to see them from a different point of view (never been robbed though). But they were just so under prepared for travelling, they seemed to spend half their time looking for accommodation. I also write a travel blog and I couldn't help comparing our writing styles. ...more

I've only been to Japan for a couple of weeks, but this book has really made me want to go back. It sounds like Anderson had some really interesting eI've only been to Japan for a couple of weeks, but this book has really made me want to go back. It sounds like Anderson had some really interesting experiences in his time there. ...more

An enjoyable read, although there does seem to be quite a lot of defence of communism, particularly in regards to denouncing people without the properAn enjoyable read, although there does seem to be quite a lot of defence of communism, particularly in regards to denouncing people without the proper revolutionary spirit, and Qiyin also puts a lot of emphasis on lessons she has learned. I'm also not entirely sure why this autobiography comes in so many volumes. ...more

There are few books which have me trying to stifle laughter while I'm reading them, but this was one of them. Written with honesty and humour it doesThere are few books which have me trying to stifle laughter while I'm reading them, but this was one of them. Written with honesty and humour it does expressed the kind of debauched life that I can hardly relate to, but was a very entertaining read. ...more

Presenting a historical view of slavery, this is a very interesting book, which cannot help but elicit slavery. It's always easy to think that slaveryPresenting a historical view of slavery, this is a very interesting book, which cannot help but elicit slavery. It's always easy to think that slavery is a historical problem, but it's still something that goes on today, apparently in larger numbers than ever before. ...more

Brief interactions with different characters have left lasting impressions with Galgut, and he reveals these initial meetings, and reunions in wonderfBrief interactions with different characters have left lasting impressions with Galgut, and he reveals these initial meetings, and reunions in wonderful language. ...more

A fascinating account of a country I really had no impression of. I had no idea the landscape and culture of Mexico was so diverse, and under threat iA fascinating account of a country I really had no impression of. I had no idea the landscape and culture of Mexico was so diverse, and under threat in so many ways. I think there is somewhere else on my list of places to visit now. ...more

A fascinating book, looking at a lifestyle that is completely alien these days. It's hard to imagine people drifting around countries, assuming they wA fascinating book, looking at a lifestyle that is completely alien these days. It's hard to imagine people drifting around countries, assuming they will be able to rely on the charity of others. ...more

I really liked the way that films were related to milestones and events in the author's life, it was a unique way of structuring the memoir. It did feI really liked the way that films were related to milestones and events in the author's life, it was a unique way of structuring the memoir. It did feel at times like we only really dealt with the superficial events in the authors life (a failed marriage seemed to rate a couple of sentences). There were definitely some interesting occurences throughout the author's life though. ...more

More a historical autobiography rather than a modern travel book, but it was fascinating how the author got around and the experiences he had across EMore a historical autobiography rather than a modern travel book, but it was fascinating how the author got around and the experiences he had across Europe. ...more

I found this to be more an autobiography of Purves rather than specifically on how brains work. However, it was still an interesting book on neuropsycI found this to be more an autobiography of Purves rather than specifically on how brains work. However, it was still an interesting book on neuropsychology and I did learn a few new things. ...more

A good look at human nature, both the good and the bad sides of it. I think it loses something in the fact that it is based on a blog, but that thoseA good look at human nature, both the good and the bad sides of it. I think it loses something in the fact that it is based on a blog, but that those snippets also help balance things out as well. Reynolds also illuminates some of the problems with the ambulance service in the UK, many of them caused by the public. It definitely gives you an appreciation and respect for those who do the tough job of being paramedics. ...more

I really enjoyed this book. Danny Bent, a remarkably ordinary guy, takes on the extraordinary challenge of cycling from the UK to India, a mammoth chaI really enjoyed this book. Danny Bent, a remarkably ordinary guy, takes on the extraordinary challenge of cycling from the UK to India, a mammoth challenge that I am so impressed with.

I think Bent writes somewhat deceptively of his naiveté. Sure, he might leave his wallet on a counter once, but he's also made the effort to learn some of the language in almost every place he goes to, and has done the trip in an amazingly resilient and reliable bike.

Bent is wonderfully honest in writing about all the highs and lows of his trip, and while the style is fairly simplistic, it is also engaging and conversational, he really feels like someone you could be instant friends with (although admittedly, somewhat crazy!). ...more